By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday November 12, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz is hoping that he can get wholesome in time to make an affect on this yr’s ATP Finals, and his quest begins tomorrow with a second spherical robin match with Andrey Rublev in Turin.
A 6-1, 7-5 loser to Casper Ruud in his first match on the ATP Finals, Alcaraz admitted afterwards that he was not feeling 100%.
“Just a few days earlier than coming right here, I bought sick at residence,” he mentioned. “And yeah, the times that I used to be practising right here, I used to be feeling okay. Not fairly good, however okay. I may play. I may really feel that I can get into the rallies within the observe. Clearly, within the matches is completely completely different.
“However at the moment I did not really feel nicely. On this morning, I really feel uncomfortable within the abdomen. After lengthy rallies at the moment, I could not really feel nicely. I do not wish to say as a result of I do not wish to sound like an excuse. But when I really feel dangerous, I really feel dangerous. It’s what occurred at the moment.”
Along with sickness, Alcaraz is preventing a couple of different points. First, he’s carrying the fatigue of one other lengthy season in a pressure-packed Olympic yr that has seen him contest 64 matches, with extra to return.
“I dare to say that each participant are drained mentally,” he mentioned on Monday. “If somebody says that he’s recent, he’s mendacity. Some gamers cope with it higher than others. I am drained. I am drained mentally. Clearly lots of matches, actually tight schedule, actually demanding yr with not too many days off.”
Alcaraz is simply expressing the fact of the tour – it’s a grind for any participant who’s taking their place within the ATP Finals this week, not simply him. Alcaraz, nonetheless simply 21, says he must study his physique and find out how to handle the fatigue higher.
“Because the starting of the yr you are accumulating hours, days. You come into this a part of yr drained,” he mentioned. “As I mentioned many, many occasions, I believe this yr I am a lot better than final yr, however I’ve to seek out the best way to carry out and ship good tennis [while] being drained mentally,” he mentioned.
Alcaraz additionally admits that he must turn out to be a greater participant indoors. He’s 23-11 lifetime beneath a roof with zero titles, in comparison with 184-44 open air and 16 titles. His most important rival Jannik Sinner, in the meantime, is 68-21 indoors with six titles.
“I do not really feel that I am a foul participant indoors,” Alcaraz mentioned. “In all probability I will say lots of gamers are higher than me on indoor court docket.
“I will be a very good participant on indoor courts, I am certain about it. However I believe it is about time, about getting expertise, getting matches in my again, hitting on indoor courts.”